Set in Salinas around the time of World War 1, Cal (James Dean) and Aron (Richard Davalos) are sons of farmer and wartime draft board chairman Adam Trask (Raymond Massey). Cal is moody and embittered, upset that his father favors Aron. The boys are told that their mother is dead, but Cal learns the scandalous truth. When his father suffers a major loss shipping lettuce, Cal decides to enter the bean-growing business, betting on prices rising if the US enters the war. He is successful and tries to give his father the money, hoping to win his affection. But Adam refuses. Further, Cal falls in love with Abra (Julie Christie) who nonetheless becomes engaged to Aron. Frustrated, Cal takes Aron to see their mother, Kate (Jo Van Fleet) leading to a final showdown between all three men. Based on the novel by John Steinbeck, screenplay by Paul Osborn. Kazan, Osborn and Dean were all nominated for Oscars. Jo Van Pelt won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
